Wild West showdown for the number 9's

Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuaín are spending every minute of the pre-season competing for the centre forward spot. Benzema has been the latest to strike. If the Argentine shone against Los Angeles Galaxy, the Frenchman did the same in the second friendly of the American tour. A display of passes, shots and ball control which were the most redeemable feature of a stifling game.

Karim knows that he cannot relax this year. He fought hard for his starter status and is not going to make things easy for Mourinho and Higuaín. He has returned in the same form as he went away; the same weight or even a kilo less. He has a lot to thank the Madrid medical team for, who gave him some pointers to maintain his level of fitness and for specific exercises to avoid muscular injury which he has been plagued by over the course of his first two years.

Mourinho has also had a change of heart with regard to Benzema. In the chat he had with journalists last Saturday, the coach acknowledged his doubts about the player during his first year and his consequent requests for a third striker. Now, however, Mou is happy with things as they are, with Benzema and Higuaín.

The French player also believes that he can improve on his statistics from last season. He wants to score more goals and, above all, win the long-awaited Champions League. His battle with Higuaín will not cause problems between them. Whoever plays, they have a great relationship.